UK - New York
Day 1Fly to New York where you will transfer to your hotel for two nights.
New York City
Day 2 Always thrilling, ever-changing, never boring: New York is a wonderfully exciting place to visit. Explore its iconic attractions and neighbourhoods, including Broadway, the Empire State Building, Greenwich Village and Trinity Church on an included guided sight seeing tour. The afternoon is free.
No meals included
New York City - Philadelphia - Washington DC area
Day 3Head through New Jersey to Philadelphia, the birthplace of the United States and home to the ‘Liberty Bell’ - iconic symbol of American independence. During your free time perhaps visit Independence Hall. Then it's on to Washington DC.
Washington DC area
Day 4Today’s sightseeing tour takes in all the city’s highlights including Capitol Hill, the Lincoln Memorial, the Washington Monument and Arlington National Cemetery. The remainder of the day is free.
Washington DC area - Niagara Falls
Day 5A long, but worthwhile, scenic day through the gentle, rolling farmlands of Pennsylvania Dutch Country. Travel along the snaking Susquehanna River to Williamsport the birthplace of Little League baseball. Later cross the Rainbow Bridge over the Niagara River gorge and into Canada for dramatic views of Niagara Falls.
Niagara Falls - Dearborn
Day 6 Don your waterproofs and board the Niagara Falls sightseeing cruise to feel the spray on your face, and witness one of nature’s greatest spectacles from the base of the falls. Head to Niagara Parkway, admiring Ontario's sweeping landscapes of farmlands and vineyards, and then into Michigan. Stay overnight in the Detroit area, America's traditional automotive centre.
No meals included
Detroit/Dearborn area - Henry Ford Museum - Chicago
Day 7Head to the once-beating heart of the US car industry with a visit to the Henry Ford Museum, which includes presidential vehicles, Rosa Park's bus and original road signs that lined America’s highways. Arrive in Chicago late afternoon for a sightseeing tour of the ‘Windy City’s major landmarks, including the Magnificent Mile and the John Hancock Building.
Chicago
Day 8 A free day to explore Chicago. Take an optional cruise on Lake Michigan for grand cityscapes of the city. In the evening, you have an optional dinner excursion followed by dramatic views from atop 360 Chicago, formerly the John Hancock Observatory.
Chicago - Madison - Minneapolis.
Day 9 First stop today is Madison, a vibrant city situated between two sparkling lakes. Afterwards, enter Minnesota, the land of 10,000 lakes, to Minneapolis, for a short orientation tour of the city’s bustling downtown area.
No meals included
Minneapolis
Day 10A free day to fill in Minneapolis where attractions include the colossal Mall of America for a supersize-shopping experience and the Walker Art Centre, an impressive contemporary art centre in the Lowry Hill neighbourhood.
Minneapolis - Pierre
Day 11This morning continue to Pierre South Dakota: lands of the great Sioux Nation. Stop in Mitchell to see the Corn Palace, a remarkable Moorish-style building covered with designs of corn outlines with grasses and grain.
Pierre - Badlands National Park - Mount Rushmore - Keystone
Day 12 First a drive through Fort Pierre National Grassland and see the prairie grasslands where part of the film ‘Dances with Wolves’ was shot. Then on to Badlands National Park, where 37 million years of wind and water have carved out its singularly rugged beauty. Deep into the Black Hills, your journey leads you to the remarkable Mount Rushmore, the giant granite monument to four American presidents - Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln and Theodore Roosevelt.
Meals included:
Keystone - Cody
Day 13 Today is a long drive passing through Sheridan, the scene of many fierce battles between the US Cavalry and the Sioux, Cheyenne and Crow Indians. Continue through the beautiful Bighorn Mountains and Bighorn National Forest en route to the overnight stop in Buffalo Bill's frontier town of Cody.
No meals included
Cody - Yellowstone National Park - West Yellowstone
Day 14Travel through the Shoshone National Forest to splendid Yellowstone National Park. Follow the grand loop road to Artist Point with magnificent views of Yellowstone Canyon and the stupendous Lower Falls, nearly twice the height of Niagara Falls. Overnight in West Yellowstone.
West Yellowstone - Yellowstone National Park - West Yellowstone
Day 15 This morning return to Yellowstone National and visit the geyser basins with bubbling mud paint pots and the reliable "blow" of Old Faithful, Yellowstone's great geyser and West Thumb geyser basin. Return to West Yellowstone where the rest of the day is at leisure.
Meals included:
West Yellowstone - Grand Teton National Park - Jackson
Day 16 South into magnificent Grand Teton National Park, one of America’s last preserves of wild solitude. Its 13,770-foot-high ridges are crested with snow most of the year. Stroll along the shores of beautiful glacier-fed Jenny Lake before ending the day in the Wild West town of Jackson with its wooden sidewalks and swing-door saloons. Afternoon and evening are free to explore the shops and museums of historic downtown.
Meals included:
Jackson - Salt Lake City
Day 17Drive to Salt Lake City: Utah's vibrant capital. Set on the edge of Great Salt Lake Desert, this centre of the Mormon religion is where Brigham Young declared to his followers, "This is the place." An included sightseeing tour shows you the capital of Utah, including Temple Square, the adjacent tabernacle, and the Beehive House.
Salt Lake City - Bryce Canyon NP - Cedar City
Day 18 Pass through sagebrush landscapes to Bryce Canyon National Park: sprawling reserve of crimson-coloured sandstone formations and limestone cliffs. Then it’s on to Dixie National Forest and Cedar City for your overnight stay.
Meals included:
Cedar City - Zion National Park - Grand Canyon North Rim
Day 19 First stop is Zion National Park. Through Kaibab National Forest to the less visited north rim of the Grand Canyon for dramatic views of flame-coloured walls plunging 4,800 feet into the Colorado River. The rest of the day is free.
Meals included:
Grand Canyon - Las Vegas
Day 20Experience the surreal delights of Nevada’s desert city with its 24-hour gambling tables and lavish cabaret entertainment. The remainder of the day is at leisure.
Las Vegas
Day 21Today, a whole day to explore the famous Las Vegas strip and casinos of Las Vegas. There will be a choice of optional excursions that you can join or simply relax.
Las Vegas - Calico Ghost Town - Los Angeles
Day 22Into California today stopping at Calico Ghost Town to relive the wild, tough days when miners struck it rich. Through the Mojave Desert and over the mountains to Los Angeles.
Los Angeles
Day 23Start the day with a sightseeing tour of the world's 'Capital of Glamour'. Drive to Hollywood, see the footprints of the stars at Mann's Chinese Theatre and the Hollywood Bowl. Then on to elegant Beverly Hills followed by a drive down Sunset Strip.
Los Angeles - UK
Day 24Transfer to the airport for your flight to the UK, or extend your stay in San Francisco.
Home landing in the UK
Day 25 No meals included
Things to note
Accommodation as stated or similar
Accommodation for the Grand Canyon Lodges will be advised as soon as possible
The operation of the Niagara Falls sightseeing cruise is subject to favourable weather and/or river conditions. When unfavourable conditions exist, a walking tour through the scenic tunnels will be offered
Accommodation for the Grand Canyon Lodges will be advised as soon as possible